Abstract:

Objective     To observe changes of growth hormone (GH) secretion levels in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Methods     60 in-patients in the Nanjing Children′s Hospital  had  polysomnography (PSG) performed. 45 OSAS cases served as the experimental group, and 15 non-OSAS cases as the control group. Growth hormone secretion levels in both groups were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results      GH secretion level in the OSAS group was (8.96±1.74) ng/mL, significantly lower than that in the control group (10.09±1.54)ng/mL. And in the experimental group, there was no significant difference between mild and moderate cases, while they were obviously reduced in severe cases.Further correlation and regression analysis showed that GH secretion levels were  negatively correlated with the oxygen de-saturation index (r=-0.507). Conclusion     Growth hormone secretion in OSAS patients was inhibited, especially in  severe OSAS cases with a decrease of the oxygen de-saturation index.

Key words:  Sleep apnea, obstructive； Growth hormone； Polysomnograph； Child